Design Tips For Children’s Bedrooms

Age-related accessories can easily be exchanged for a more mature decorating style as a child ages. (Stephanie Swartz/Photos.com)

Dear Marc:
My daughter Laurie is turning 10 this month and she has been sharing a room with her sister Anna for the past few years. I have decided to move Laurie into her own room in our basement and surprise her with her new room on her birthday. I have been flipping through design magazines and looking online for design inspiration for Laurie’s new room. Is there anything I should know before I start?
Marguerite

Dear Marguerite:
Designing a child’s room is quite different from that of an adult. The biggest differences are colour selection, furniture placement, and the functionality of the room. Kids’ rooms are not only used for sleeping as most adult’s bedrooms are; they are also used for doing homework, entertaining friends, and playing games. It is a child’s personal space, a design haven they can call their own.

A child might want to use certain vibrant colours that wouldn’t traditionally be used in a bedroom, but you’d be surprised at what works together when designing a kid’s bedroom. The design is all about a fun, funky, energetic space. Choose a design style that suits your child’s personality. Get inspiration from her favourite clothes, television shows, and toys.

Spend time watching Laurie play in her bedroom to see what function the furniture would have and which pieces are required in the final space. Also, I suggest using durable products in your design as children are energetic and ready to test the life-span of these products.

When purchasing products, choose those designed for high traffic areas such as high-quality carpet. Resista is a wonderful line of carpets with stain-resistant fibre that is ideal for kids’ bedrooms.

Look for furniture that can stand a little more wear and tear, and invest in neutral-coloured furniture that Laurie can keep during her teenage years.

Buy sturdy furniture that can take a little more wear and tear. (Poligonchik/Photos.com)

Your daughter might love pinks and purples right now but it doesn’t mean that she will in a few years, so I would stay away from the bright pink dresser. For the walls, I suggest a neutral colour, with Laurie’s favourite colour as the accent colour. This way, when the teenage years come along, she can just change a few accessories without repainting or getting rid of all her furniture because she got up one morning and decided pink wasn’t her favourite colour any more.

Consider adding a little memorabilia that can become keepsakes in her later years, such as funky height charts, black and white baby photos, and framed childhood paintings. While the colour scheme can be simple, you can add some childlike elements with fabric used in the bedding and in the draperies. This will create enough of an impact in the overall design and will also be easy and cost-effective to change in a few years.

COPYRIGHT 2012 -- Marc Atiyolil Media Inc.

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